Unevenly Yoked

When my wife and I met it was love at first sight. We became high school sweethearts, and were thoroughly convinced that our love was stronger than anything the world could throw at us.

However, the first years of our marriage were rough, and it came to the point that I wondered if we would make it.

We grew up in different cultures, and different religions. It got to the point that in 1996 we separated for a year.

During that time my dad said to me, "You know, even if she wasn't the right woman for you when you got married, by becoming married she became the right woman in the eyes of God. Rather than battle her, give the marriage to the Lord, and just love her."

Just Love Her.

The separation reached the point of Divorce Court. There we were, battling over the kids in court. I gave my side of why I deserved custody to the moderator with venom. Despite my faith, I was angry that the woman I loved was allowing our marriage to dissolve. I foolishly allowed my anger to control my words.

Then the moderator asked for her argument regarding why she should have custody of the children. My wife stood up there, ready to battle with me, and said, "All I know is I want my husband back."

My heart fell into my knees. We talked after our day in court, and then got back together. From then on we placed our marriage in the hands of the Lord, and now have a marriage I once only dreamed of having.

They say the Lord works in mysterious ways. Well, I don't know about that, but in my case, it took a storm to make us realize how much we love each other.

Jeremiah 17:7

But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

Psalm 103:13

The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Psalm 33:12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

1 Corinthians 12:6

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Our loving Lord works in our lives in ways that we may not even realize, and it is all for His glory.

Peaceful Advice

This poem was published in an anthology called "A Break In The Clouds." I wrote it June 20, 1992.


Peaceful Advice

Go peacefully among the chaos and noise of life,
And remember silence may bring you peace.
The humble may pass through life unknown to many,
But God shall remember their guardship of peace.

Truth shall come with silence and observation,
But words of others can shadow the truth.
The truth may lead to fulfillment in life,
But keep your memory of humility and truth.

Strive for the upper reaches in life,
But keep integrity within your sight.
The Lord will reward the keeper of peace,
But success may escape the one who fights.

Even in loss the spirit will guide you,
Allow the Lord to lovingly carry you,
Strength often builds through our lowest times,
He never leaves us but sets us anew.

Whether you can see his plans for your life,
Or if you are stumbling searching his will;
The Lord God will guide you safely through life,
And reward you in thanks and a life that fulfills.

Motives

I wrote a piece about motives on my Political Pistachio site tonight, and cross-posted it at all of my other political sites. I also dropped a poem off at my Defender of the Blahs site. And it got me thinking, what are my motives?

The Lord sees into my heart, and whenever we do anything in our lives, the actions we take are important, and should honor and praise Him, but I wonder how often deep down that is truly our motive.

What is good about it, though, is the Lord knows my heart, and even when my motives aren't what they ought to be, He forgives me. And when the difficulties arise based on the poor seeds I had sown, He Carries Me.

Thank you, Jesus, for your comfort and sacrifice.